Surgical stapler tool assembly to minimize bleeding

ABSTRACT

A cartridge assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that includes a staple array that has a configuration to minimize blood leakage through a staple line formed by the staple cartridge.

FIELD

This disclosure is generally related to surgical stapling devices and, more particularly, to staple cartridges for use with surgical stapling devices.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are well known. Such devices allow a clinician to suture tissue more quickly than traditional suturing techniques to shorten the length of the surgical procedure and minimize patient trauma. During a stapling procedure, a staple line is formed at a surgical site. Bleeding at the surgical site through the staple line is common and may lead to infection which may cause significant discomfort to the patient.

A continuing need exists in the art for a surgical stapling device that includes a tool assembly that forms a staple line that minimizes bleeding at the surgical site.

SUMMARY

In aspects, this disclosure generally relates to a staple cartridge for a surgical stapling device that includes a staple array that has a configuration to minimize blood leakage through a staple line formed by the staple cartridge. One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a staple cartridge including a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of central knife slot. The three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot include an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets. The staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other. Each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.

In aspects of the disclosure, each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets is laterally aligned with one of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the staple pockets in the inner and outer rows of staple pockets are alternatingly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body such that the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are not laterally aligned with any of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, each of the staple pockets supports a staple.

In aspects of the disclosure, adjacent staple pockets in the inner, middle, and outer rows of staple pockets define a trapezoidal configuration that is configured to redirect blood flow away from the inner row of staple pockets.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge body supports a buttress material.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets define a sinusoidal configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is supported in relation to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge that is received within the cartridge channel. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of central knife slot. The three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot include an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets. The staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other. Each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to surgical stapling devices including a handle assembly, an elongate body, and a tool assembly. The elongate body has a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end. The tool assembly is supported on the distal end of the elongate body and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is supported in relation to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge that is received within the cartridge channel. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of the central knife slot. The three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot include an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets. The staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets are longitudinally aligned with each other. Each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device having a staple cartridge including aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of a staple of the staple cartridge shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a top view of tissue with a buttress material secured to the tissue after the tissue is cut with the stapling device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the tissue and buttress material shown in FIG. 4 ; and

FIG. 6 is an alternative staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the aspects of the disclosure are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

FIG. 1 illustrates the disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 which includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 100. Although not described in detail herein, the tool assembly 100 can form part of a reload assembly 16 that is releasably coupled to the elongate body 14 and includes a proximal body portion 16 a and the tool assembly 100. Alternately, the tool assembly 100 can be fixedly secured to a distal portion of the elongate body 14.

The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X”. The handle assembly 12 includes a body 18 defining hand grip 18 a, a plurality of actuator buttons 20, and a rotation knob 22. The rotation knob 22 is rotatably supported on a distal portion of the body 18 of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongate body 14 to facilitate rotation of the elongate body 14 and the tool assembly 100 in relation to the handle assembly 12 about the longitudinal axis “X”. The actuator buttons 20 control operation of the various functions of the stapling device 10 including approximation, firing and cutting. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as an electrically powered stapling device, it is envisioned that the disclosed tool assembly 100 would also be suitable for use with a manually powered surgical stapling device. U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943 (the '943 patent) discloses a surgical stapling device including a powered handle assembly and U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (the '139 patent) discloses a manually actuated handle assembly. For a more detailed description of exemplary a handle assembly and elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10, see, e.g., the '943 and '139 patents.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate the tool assembly 100 of the stapling device 10. The tool assembly 100 defines a longitudinal axis “Y” and includes an anvil assembly 112 and a cartridge assembly 114. The anvil assembly 112 and the cartridge assembly 114 are movable in relation to each other between an open or spaced position (FIG. 2 ) and a clamped position. The anvil assembly 112 includes a staple deforming surface 116 that defines a plurality of staple deforming pockets (not shown). In aspects of the disclosure, the anvil assembly 112 and the cartridge assembly 114 support a buttress material 120 that reinforces a staple line “SL” (FIG. 4 ) that is formed in tissue “T” as described below. For a detailed description of exemplary aspects of the anvil assembly 112, see the '139 Patent.

The cartridge assembly 114 includes a cartridge channel 130 and a staple cartridge 132. The cartridge channel 130 receives and supports the staple cartridge 132. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge 132 is removable from the cartridge channel 130 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. Alternately, the staple cartridge 132 is fixedly secured within the cartridge channel 130 and the reload 16 can be removed from the stapling device 10 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10.

The staple cartridge 132 includes a cartridge body 140 that defines a central knife slot 141 and a plurality of staple receiving pockets 142. The staple receiving pockets 142 are aligned in three rows on each side of the central knife slot 141 including an inner row 144, a middle row 146, and an outer row 148. Each of the staple receiving pockets 142 supports a staple 150 (FIG. 2B). In aspects of the disclosure, the staple pockets 142 in the inner rows 144 and the outer rows 148 define axes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis “Y” of the tool assembly 100. In some aspects of the disclosure, each of the staple pockets 142 in the inner rows 144 of staple pockets 142 is laterally aligned with a staple pocket 142 in the outer rows 148 of staple pockets 142. In other aspects of the disclosure, each of the staple pockets 142 in the middle rows 146 of staple pockets 142 defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis “Y” of the tool assembly 100 and has an orientation that alternates in direction along the length of the middle rows 146 of staple pockets 142, i.e., the direction of axes defined by the staple pockets 142 in the middle row 146 of staple pockets 142 alternates back and forth along the length of the middle row 146 of staple pockets 142 to define, if joined by an imaginary line connecting end of the staple pockets 142 in the middle row, a substantially sinusoidal curve “SC” (FIG. 5 ). In this aspect of the disclosure, two adjacent staple pockets 142 in the middle row 146 of staple pockets 142 and the adjacent staple pockets 142 in the inner and outer rows 144 and 148 of staple pockets 142 define a substantially trapezoidal configuration “TR” (FIG. 4A).

FIG. 2B illustrates one of the staples 150 of the staple cartridge 132. Each of the staples 150 includes a back span 152 and a pair of legs 154 that extend from opposite sides of the back span 152. Each of the legs 154 includes a tapered tip 156 that is configured to pierce tissue “T” and the buttress materials 120. As described above, the staples 150 are received with respective staple pockets 142 of the staple cartridge 132 such that the back span 152 of each of the staples 150 defines an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of the staple pocket 142 in which the staple 150 is received.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the staples 150 formed in the tissue “T” with the tissue cut along a cut line 160. The staples 150 in the rows of staples 150 define staple lines “SL” (FIG. 4 ) on each side of the cut line 160 in the tissue “T”. As shown, when the staples 150 of the staple cartridge 132 are formed in the tissue “T”, adjacent staples 150 in the inner rows 144, the middle rows 146, and outer rows 148 of staples 150 define trapezoidal configurations that are aligned along the staple line “SL” (FIG. 4 ).

When staples 150 are formed in tissue “T” along the cutline 160, blood flow from an organ side “OS” of the tissue “T” flows towards the cutline 160. The major path or leakage to occur is through staple line “SL” through gaps between the staples 150. This leakage may result in hematoma and infection and also cause poor visibility at a surgical site. The poor visibility must be addressed by a clinician, such as by clearing the leakage from the surgical site with a cloth which may lengthen the duration of the surgical procedure and increase the rate of occurrence of infection.

In the disclosed staple cartridge 132, the staples 150 are positioned in such a way that blood flow from the organ side “OS” of the tissue “T” that passes through the outer row 148 of the staples 150 is directed back towards the organ side “OS” of the tissue “T” in the direction of arrow “A” in FIG. 5 by the orientation of the middle rows 146 and inner rows 144 of staples 150. In this manner, the configuration of the staple line “SL” when formed in tissue “T” minimizes the amount of blood leakage through the staple line “SL”.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate staple line “SL2” configuration. Although not shown, the staple cartridge used to form this staple line “SL2” includes staple pockets having an orientation substantially identical to the orientation of the staples 250 in the staple line “SL2”. The staple line “SL2” is substantially the same as the staple line “SL” (FIG. 5 ) except that every other staple 250 in the inner and outer rows 244 and 248 of staples 250 is removed such that the staples 250 in the inner and outer rows 244 and 248 are alternatingly positioned along the staple line “SL2” and are laterally offset from each other. In this configuration, the staples 250 in the inner and middle rows 244 and 246 of staples 250 define a substantially trapezoidal configuration in the form of trapezoidal buckets 251 with one of the parallel sides of the trapezoid removed. The trapezoidal buckets 251 direct blood flow in the direction of arrow “B” back towards the organ side of the tissue “T” to minimize blood leakage from the staple line “SL2”.

It is envisioned that a staple cartridge in accordance with this disclosure may include one of the staple pocket configurations described above on only one side of the central knife slot 141 (FIG. 3 ) and a traditional staple pocket configuration on the other side of the central knife slot 141, e.g., two or three longitudinally aligned rows of staples. A staple cartridge having this configuration could be used during surgical procedures in which tissue is being removed from a patient such as a colectomy procedure. In such a procedure, the tool assembly 100 of the stapling device 10 would be oriented to place the staple line “SL” or “SL2” on the organ side “OS” of the tissue “T” and to place the staple line having the traditional configuration on the tissue to be removed from the patient.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of central knife slot, the three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot including an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets, each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets, wherein each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.
 2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets is laterally aligned with one of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 3. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the staple pockets in the inner and outer rows of staple pockets are alternatingly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body such that the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are not laterally aligned with any of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each of the staple pockets supports a staple.
 5. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein adjacent pockets in the inner, middle, and outer rows of staple pockets define a trapezoidal configuration that is configured to redirect blood flow away from the inner row of staple pockets.
 6. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body supports a buttress material.
 7. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets define a sinusoidal configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.
 8. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil assembly; and a cartridge assembly supported in relation to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge that is received within the cartridge channel, the staple cartridge including a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of central knife slot, the three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot including an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets, each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets, wherein each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.
 9. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets is laterally aligned with one of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 10. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the staple pockets in the inner and outer rows of staple pockets are alternatingly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body such that the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are not laterally aligned with any of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 11. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the staple pockets supports a staple.
 12. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein adjacent pockets in the inner, middle, and outer rows of staple pockets define a trapezoidal configuration that is configured to redirect blood flow away from the inner row of staple pockets.
 13. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the cartridge body supports a buttress material.
 14. The tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets define a sinusoidal configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.
 15. A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate body having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end; and a tool assembly supported on the distal end of the elongate body, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly supported in relation to the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge that is received within the cartridge channel, the staple cartridge including a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, and three rows of staple pockets on at least one side of the central knife slot, the three rows of staple pockets on the at least one side of the central knife slot including an inner row of staple pockets positioned adjacent the central knife slot, an outer row of staple pockets spaced outwardly of the inner row of staple pockets, and a middle row of staple pockets positioned between the inner and outer rows of staple pockets, each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets and the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets defining an axis that is longitudinally aligned with the axis of each of the other staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets, wherein each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and the orientation of each of the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets alternates in direction along the length of the middle row of staple pockets.
 16. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, wherein each of the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets is laterally aligned with one of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 17. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, wherein the staple pockets in the inner and outer rows of staple pockets are alternatingly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body such that the staple pockets in the inner row of staple pockets are not laterally aligned with any of the staple pockets in the outer row of staple pockets.
 18. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, each of the staple pockets supports a staple.
 19. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, adjacent pockets in the inner, middle, and outer rows of staple pockets define a trapezoidal configuration that is configured to redirect blood flow away from the inner row of staple pockets.
 20. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, wherein the staple pockets in the middle row of staple pockets define a sinusoidal configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body. 